So after seeing an outside GI for my bacterial overgrowth testing, (which was positive, and who pretty strongly recommended surgery), again my VA GI wants to try Cimzia. I do not want to do this, very simply because according to student health center I got lupus from both remicade and humira. I was in way too much pain to make it to the VA hospital for them to test for lupus, so by the time I got there I was not popping positive ANA for lupus. My VA GI says since there is no VA record of me being possitive for lupus, I basically have to do this drug if I want to continue climbing the ladder of treatment steps. I am sending him my postive tests from student health.

Awww, Navy, I'm so sorry you're having such a hard time. It's bad enough that you're in pain, but to have to jump through their hoops to get things fixed is absolutely ridiculous. I hope something changes and you get better. I know you've been through a lot for quite some time, and it's about time something falls into place and you start feeling better.

hi, you know that a single doctor cannot possibly know of all the anti-inflammatory drugs out there (http://www.reference.md/files/D000/mD000894.html ) link is from reference.md. -Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal... When a doctor looks to a medication in their 'lilttle book', they check if it has been prescribed for the smyptoms , condition and (probably if their group backs the particular manufacturer). again theres no way you exhausted the milder drugs as there is unlikely to be a physician who is familiar with some of them let alone all of them. and i cite here just one category.

And you have a right to be mad. Dealing with a bureaucracy can drive anyone over the edge. I am so sorry you have to go through that to get treatment. Hang in there, it'll get better sooner or later.AzJohnny

I feel a whole lot more the way I do now than I did a little while ago.Crohn's Dx April 2006. Pentasa and Entocort EC

OMG that is ridiculous!!! I am mad with you. You are a surgical candidate for sure, and I know you have been suffering for soooo long. I pray the doc reads your report and gets you moved to a surgical consult soon. Hugs!Gail*Nanners* Co-Moderator for Crohns Disease & Anxiety/Panic

Ohhh navy...wish I could help you out...I am angry for you too. I hope that showing them your reports finishes their argument. open mindedness would fix so many problems aaargh!Dx'd '90 (emergency rupture), symptoms ignored long before that, '03 fistulas and bad flagyl reactions, B12 weekly, Pentasa [until I surrender to the bigger meds]